Elizabeth
Its Monday morning. I sit on the edge of the couch, watching Christopher play with Edward on the floor. I can’t tear my eyes away as I watch him lift our son into the air, spinning him around until Edward is giggling uncontrollably.
It’s these rare moments that mess with my mind and make me second-guess everything.
This gentle, loving version of him is the man I fell in love with, the father I want Edward to have.
When Christopher glances up at me, a softness in his blue eyes, he gives me a kind smile—the kind that used to melt me.
For a split second, I feel a flicker of hope, a glimpse of the man he used to be.
“Get ready, Elizabeth,” he says, his voice breaking the moment.
“You’re coming with me to the office today.”
I blink, completely thrown.
“What? Why?” My voice comes out sharper than I intended, laced with suspicion.
I don’t trust this. I don’t trust him.
He chuckles, shaking his head like I’m overreacting.
“I thought maybe you should go back to work. Get your old job back. You were a marketing genius, remember?”
I stare at him, trying to process this.
It’s been years since I left the office, since he convinced me that being at home would help us have a family.
Two miscarriages later, he asked me to stop working entirely.
Now, suddenly, he’s suggesting I return to the company? He’s never wanted me to have independence, so why now?
“What are you playing at, Christopher?” I ask, crossing my arms.
“Just get dressed, Lizzy. We’ll talk in the car.”
I bite back a retort, deciding not to push him. Instead,
I get up and head to the bedroom.
My pulse quickens, and I feel a strange excitement stirring in my chest.
It’s been so long since I had anything outside these walls, anything that felt like my own purpose.
If I can get back into the office, back to what I’m good at, maybe I’ll find a way to break free from him once and for all.
I slip into a blouse and pencil skirt, brushing on a bit of makeup.
My hands are shaking with a mixture of nerves and excitement.
This feels like a step out of my prison, even if I know Christopher’s intentions can’t be genuine.
He’s always playing some angle. But for now, I’ll play along. I’ll make this work for me.
When I walk out, Christopher is waiting by the door, his eyes scanning over me approvingly.
“You look beautiful,” he says, holding the door open.
His tone is warm, almost affectionate. I try not to let my confusion show.
As we drive, I keep sneaking glances at him, trying to figure out what’s going on in his head.
He’s unusually calm, focused.
The tension I’ve come to expect from him is absent, replaced with... what? I can’t put my finger on it, and the uncertainty makes my skin crawl.
“Why are you doing this?” I finally ask, unable to hold the question back any longer.
He glances over, giving me a slight smile. “Consider it the start of an apology,” he says smoothly.
“I just want us to get back to who we were.”
I scoff, not even trying to hide my disbelief.
“Are you kidding me, Christopher?”
“Lizzy,” he sighs, as if he’s the one tired of me.
“A lot was going on before, but now... things are different. I’ve got a new partner investing in the company, and I feel like things are finally stable. We can work things out.”
I know him too well to believe him.
We’ve been through this before—the fake apologies, the empty promises. But if he thinks he can win me over with a few sweet words, he’s in for a surprise.
I nod, playing along, hiding the real plans forming in my mind. I’ll bide my time, keep Edward close, and when the opportunity arises, I’ll be gone.
As he’s driving, I feel his hand drift over to my thigh, a touch that used to feel so intimate but now feels suffocating.
I grit my teeth, trying to suppress the disgust curling in my stomach.
He hasn’t touched me like this in months, and I hate that I have to pretend.
I turn my head, forcing a smile as I look at him.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmurs, his face twisting into a smirk, one that doesn’t reach his eyes.
The wicked grin makes me shiver, but I force myself to laugh softly, trying to mirror his smile.
When we arrive at the office, I feel a strange mix of anticipation and dread.
Everything feels different, as if I’m stepping back into an old life I barely recognise.
The receptionist greets me with an eager smile, and I notice a few employees glancing our way, clearly intrigued. Christopher walks beside me, his hand on my back, steering me forward as if we’re some perfect, unified couple.
I do my part, keeping a big smile on my face, playing into his little game.
We walk down the hall to the conference room, and I pause as he opens the door. The room feels bigger than I remember.
Christopher holds my hand, guiding me in with an air of pride. Everyone’s already seated, their eyes fixed on us, expectant.
“Are we all ready?” Christopher asks, his voice loud and confident.
Everyone nods and begins gathering around the table, shifting in their seats.
I sit down beside him, looking around for the first time—and I freeze.
Across the table, seated at the far end, is a man I didn’t expect to see.
My heart skips a beat as I recognise him.
Sebastian.
He’s even more striking in the daylight, with his dark eyes, sharp jawline, and that aura of mystery.
every inch of him exuding power and control.
But it’s his gaze that unnerves me the most—steady, intense, as if he sees right through me.
I quickly look away, my face flushing.
What the hell is he doing here?
Christopher clears his throat; Sebastian's presence does not bother him.
“Everyone,” he begins, gesturing to me, “you all remember my wife, Elizabeth. She’ll be taking back control of the marketing department.”
I manage a small nod, forcing an anxious smile across the room, but my mind is spinning.
I glance back at Sebastian, who’s watching me with a calm, unreadable expression.
I wonder if he’s thinking about that night, about the situation Christopher put me in. But his face gives nothing away.
“And now,” Christopher continues, his tone carrying a touch of pride, “I’d like to introduce our new partner and board member, Mr. Sebastian Valdez.”
The words hit me like a slap.
Partner? Board member? I can barely hide my shock as I look between them.
Sebastian stands, extending a polite nod toward the room, his gaze landing on me just briefly before sweeping over the rest of the group.
“I’m looking forward to working with all of you,” he says in a low, even tone.
“I believe we’ll accomplish great things together.”
His words are calm and professional, but there’s an underlying edge I can’t quite place.
As the meeting progresses, I struggle to keep up, my mind consumed by questions and doubts. Christopher’s voice fades into the background, and all I can focus on is Sebastian.
Every glance from him stirs a strange and conflicting feeling inside me.
My mind flashes back to that night and the way he treated me with a dignity I hadn’t felt in so long.
The meeting finally wraps up, and everyone begins to rise, gathering their papers, chatting among themselves. I feel Christopher’s hand on my arm, gently steering me toward Sebastian.
“Sebastian,” he says, his tone barely friendly. “You remember my wife, don’t you?”
Sebastian’s gaze settles on me, dark and piercing, his face unreadable.
“Of course,” he replies, his voice polite but with a faint hint of something else—something that sends a shiver down my spine. He reaches out, shaking my hand with a firm grip, his touch lingering just a second too long.
I force a smile, my heart pounding. I don’t understand what is happening. There is tension between them.
Sebastian gives me a small nod, his eyes never leaving mine.
Christopher doesn’t seem to notice the tension between us, or maybe he doesn’t care.
“I think we’re all going to make an incredible team.”
Sebastian’s eyes flicker, and for the briefest moment, I see something dark pass over his face—a shadow.
ElizabethThe office has made me feel alive again. The buzzing of hushed voices and the busy bodies takes me back to my passion.As I walk past the rows of desks, I can feel eyes on me and hear the whispers that follow me wherever I go. The name *Celeste* is on everyone’s lips—Christopher’s new fling.I should feel hurt or betrayed, but all I feel is relief.It’s been a month since Christopher last laid a hand on me. A month since I had to force a smile and pretend to care. If Celeste keeps him distracted, that’s fine by me. Maybe she’ll keep him away long enough for me to make my escape.I keep my head high, my heels clicking sharply against the floor, and step into Sebastian’s office.The air shifts as soon as I enter, the tension between us like an unspoken third presence in the room. He’s standing behind his desk, flipping through a folder, his dark eyes scanning the pages with a focus that makes my stomach tighten.He doesn’t look up right away, but when he does, it’s like the en
SebastianThe gala is alive with music, laughter, and the hum of conversation. I walk through the grand hall, my steps deliberate, my posture commanding. I am happy with myself. Not for the party but for my plan coming to fruition.I smile to myself, satisfaction curling at the edges of my thoughts.My revenge on Christopher Bell is taking shape. He has no idea what’s coming, and that’s exactly how I want it.Christopher has spent years destroying lives. He destroyed mine. He destroyed my wife's. He thought he had gotten away without consequence.But when I heard his company was faltering, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, I saw my opportunity. I’d been patient, biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, here I am, the "savior" swooping in as an investor, offering him a lifeline he can’t refuse.It’s almost poetic.I make my way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with key players.Every interaction is another move in this game of chess
ElizabethThe car ride home is long and confusing. My fingers still tingle from where Sebastian held my hand before he kissed me. A kiss I hadn’t expected—a kiss that set my entire world on fire.The interview was so reveling. His answers playing over and over in my mind, each one pressing against the walls of my heart. Tonight, I learnt so much about him—his pain, his struggles—but that kiss... That kiss lingers, warm and sweet, leaving me questioning my future plans.When I pull into the driveway, the house looms large, its dark windows staring back at me. This prison I call a home. My stomach twists. The thrill of the evening fades, replaced by the suffocating reminder of where I belong—or rather, where I’m trapped.I kill the engine and sit in the silence for a moment longer, pressing my forehead to the steering wheel. “Get it together,” I whisper, though my hands tremble as I reach for the door handle.I close the door behind me with a soft click, a smile still tugging at my lip
ElizabethI hold Edward close, his little body warm against mine. He’s asleep, his tiny fingers wrapped around mine like he never wants to let go. I don’t want to let go either. I sit on the couch, pulling the blanket tighter around us. The house is quiet, but my thoughts are loud.I couldn’t go to the office today. Not with the bruises on my face and hands. They feel like a mark of shame, even though I know they aren’t my fault. The bruise on my cheek stings if I touch it. My wrist aches where he grabbed me.I’m scared. For the first time in a long time, I feel truly frightened.Not just for myself, but for Edward. How long can I protect him from this?Maybe it’s time to call my father.The thought makes my chest tighten.I haven’t spoken to him in years. The last time I tried, he didn’t even want to talk to me.He’d said I made my choice when I married Christopher, and that was that. If I called him now, he’d probably say, “I told you so.”The doorbell rings, startling me. Edward st
ElizabethThe air feels heavier as I glance at the screen. The name on the display sends a wave of dread washing over me.Christopher.Did he know where I was? Is Christopher watching me?My hand freezes, the phone trembling between my fingers. I don’t know what to do. Should I answer? Should I ignore it? But ignoring him always makes things worse.“It’s Christopher,” I whisper to Sebastian, my voice shaky.“Don’t pick up,” he says firmly, stepping closer. His hand rests lightly on my arm, grounding me.“I have to,” I reply, swallowing hard.“No, you don’t,” he insists, his eyes searching mine. “You don’t owe him anything, Elizabeth. Not after everything he’s done.”“But I do,” I say softly, more to myself than to him. I swipe the screen, pressing the phone to my ear.“Where the fuck are you, Lizzy?” Christopher’s voice is sharp and demanding, slicing through the quiet.My throat tightens, but I manage to keep my voice steady. “I… I took a cab to the park. I needed some air. I needed
SebastainI sit in my office, leaning back in my chair, the city skyline sprawling out in front of me through the floor-to-ceiling windows.The room is quiet, but my thoughts are anything but calm. My fingers drum against the polished wood of my desk as I replay yesterday's events in my mind.I can’t help but smile, a small, almost triumphant curve of my lips.My plan is falling together perfectly.It’s almost laughable how easy it was to get Christopher out of the picture, at least temporarily.One strategic phone call to a friend—a perfect fake investor—a perfectly timed opportunity dangled in front of him like bait, and he was gone.Off to New York, chasing what he thinks is the deal of a lifetime.“Fool,” I mutter to myself.But my thoughts drift from Christopher almost immediately.Yesterday.Elizabeth.My God, I can still feel the taste of her lips on mine, the gentleness of her touch, and the way her breath hitched when I pulled her close.It wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
ElizabethI stand in front of the mirror, carefully dragging the eyeliner pencil along my lash line.I let out a soft giggle.Why am I so excited? I quietly ask myself.My hand trembles slightly, but I steady it.It’s been so long since I’ve done this—applied my makeup with this much care. Since I applied my make excited to go somewhere, not to cover up my bruises. The soft golden light from the vanity bathes my reflection, making my pale skin glow. I press my lips together to smooth out the crimson lipstick, tilting my head to examine my work.I look... different. It’s strange, almost foreign, but tonight I feel the need to see myself this way. I don’t know if it’s for Sebastian or for me.The faint scent of my perfume lingers in the air.It reminds me of who I used to be before Christopher—before his words, his fists, and his suffocating control stripped me down to something small, something invisible.The house is so quiet. Too quiet. My chest tightens as my thoughts shift to Edwar
SebastianI watch her walk toward me, each step deliberate and careful, as if she’s afraid she might shatter under the weight of her own decision.Elizabeth’s green dress clings to her figure, the slit teasing the length of her legs with every movement. The faint glow of the porch light dances across her skin, and I catch myself staring longer than I should.I wasn’t expecting her to say yes.When I asked her to dinner, I thought she’d hesitate, maybe deflect or make an excuse. But she surprised me, her soft “yes” echoing in my mind since the moment it left her lips. Now she’s here, her delicate beauty tugging at something I swore I’d buried a long time ago.I have no room for feelings, just vengeance. Vengeance for the man who killed my daughter's mother. My wife, my love.This wasn’t supposed to happen. Elizabeth wasn’t supposed to affect me like this.She’s just a pawn in a game that’s been years in the making.Tonight is about delivering the first blow, shaking Christopher’s world
ElizabethShock ripples through me, leaving my body frozen in place.Of all the games Christopher could have played, I never imagined this.A proposal?Renewing our vows?He doesn't love me.He never has.So why?I can't question him. Not now. Not when I'm starting to remember. Not when I know who he truly is. I need to play this carefully, keep my face neutral, my voice steady. Whatever he’s planning, I need to stay ahead of him.“Elizabeth, Christopher asked you a question,” Celia’s sharp voice cuts through the room. There’s an edge to her tone, a demand laced with impatience.Anger simmers beneath my skin. If I say yes, I go back to being Christopher’s puppet, his punching bag. My stomach churns at the thought. I take a breath, preparing to respond, but before I can, the doorbell rings.Relief floods me. Saved by the literal bell.The house manager rushes in, looking pale. “You have guests.”Celia’s eyes narrow. “Who?”Before the house manager can answer, two tall figures step into
ElizabethI sit by the window, staring out at the vast estate, but I might as well be staring at prison bars. Every entrance and exit is watched. The staff move about, avoiding my gaze, their silence speaking volumes.But at least I have Edward.Each day, another memory breaks through the fog, slipping into my mind like a whisper. I can almost see it now—what happened to me, why I ended up here, but I know I can’t rush it. My mind is protecting me from something.The weight of it all presses down on my chest. One child still hidden away, nameless and safe with Michael’s grandmother. And Edward—still here, still vulnerable, as long as he remains under this cursed roof.Doubt creeps in, slithering its way into my thoughts. Have I done the right thing coming back? But I shake it off. I have to push forward. I have to find something—anything—that can prove what Christopher did to me. Or at the very least, what he’s capable of.I spend my days searching, slipping through the house like a g
ChristopherIt has been a week since Elizabeth returned. A week since she walked through the doors of this house like she still belonged here. A week since she accused me of trying to have her killed.If she’s planning something, she’s keeping it close to her chest. She hasn’t let a single crack show. And that unsettles me. I’ve done everything to contain the situation—cut off every loose end. I even fired Agnes, Edward’s nanny, the only person close enough to notice something was off. No one who knows what happened to Elizabeth is still around, except Celeste, Celia, and Martin. But still, she keeps her distance. She watches me like she’s studying me, like she’s remembering.Does she remember? The thought burns through me like whiskey down my throat.“What’s going on in that head of yours?”Celeste’s voice drags me back to the present. She’s been standing in my office for who knows how long. I never even heard her come in. She’s smirking, her eyes gleaming with amusement.“Why are
I walk into the room, a smile carefully placed on my lips. It’s light, almost playful, as if I’ve walked in on an intimate moment between old friends."What's happening here?" I ask casually, strolling further into the room. My eyes flick from Christopher to Celeste, taking in the way she’s perched on his lap, the way his hand grips her thigh possessively. It’s a picture-perfect moment of deceit, one I’ve walked into far too many times before.Christopher’s head snaps up at the sound of my voice, and I watch as shock and something close to anger flicker across his face. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" he demands, his tone sharp.I tilt my head, feigning innocence. "I thought you said this was our house?" I let my gaze drift lazily around the room before settling on Celeste, whose lips curl into a slow, knowing smile. My stomach tightens. It takes a moment, but recognition dawns.That’s where I saw her. The hospital. She called herself Sarah. She tried to turn me against Sebastia
ChristopherThe silence in the car is suffocating. I grip the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white. Elizabeth sits in the back, her head turned toward the window, while Edward clings to her like he’s afraid she’ll disappear again. I glance at my mother, catching the way her lips press into a thin line. She’s thinking the same thing I am.What the hell is Elizabeth playing at?She’s changed. That much is clear. The woman I knew was fragile, naive—an easy pawn. But this version of her, sitting there with that eerily calm expression, feels different. It’s unnerving. I can’t read her, and that terrifies me.My plans are crumbling. A month ago, I was set to pocket one hundred and fifty million dollars, and now, here she is—back from the dead, threatening to ruin everything. And to make matters worse, thanks to her father and her lover, she still holds the majority shares of Bell Energies. That thought alone makes my blood boil. As if Sebastian Valdez wasn’t already enough of a
I freeze.The air in the room shifts, growing thick and suffocating. My fingers tighten into fists, nails digging into my palms so hard it hurts. My breath catches in my throat as I see them—Christopher, Celia, and Edward.It takes everything in me not to recoil, not to let the storm inside me show on my face. My pulse hammers against my ribs, my stomach knots so tight I feel like I might be sick.I bite down on my lip, the sharp pain grounding me, keeping me from crumbling. I cannot lose control. Not now. Not when the enemy is standing right in front of me. My destroyer. My nightmare in flesh and blood.And then, before I can prepare myself, it happens.“Mama!”Edward’s voice rings through the room, so innocent, so pure. My baby. My sweet, beautiful boy.He wiggles free from Christopher’s grasp and runs toward me with arms wide open. My heart shatters into a million pieces.I stand too fast, the chair scraping against the floor. The room disappears, the walls fade away, and all I see
The office is a mess—papers scattered, the scent of sweat and sex thick in the air. My grip tightens around Celeste’s waist as I press her against the cool glass of my desk. She gasps, her head falling back, exposing the delicate line of her throat. My lips trace the curve, tasting her, owning her.Celeste’s fingers weave through my hair, tugging, urging me closer. Our passion has always been undeniable, raw, consuming. But now, there’s something else, something heavier—maybe it’s the cocktail of drugs in my system, maybe it’s the sheer fucking euphoria of knowing I’ve won. Everything is golden. Every enemy crushed beneath my feet.My mouth captures hers again, demanding, punishing. She moans into me, wrapping her legs around my waist, and I lift her effortlessly, ready to devour her completely—“Stop, Christopher.”The words crash through the haze of pleasure, and I freeze, my breathing ragged. Celeste pulls back, her eyes locked onto the television screen behind me.“Christopher, lo
I stand in the middle of the room, my hair now back to its raven color, falling loosely over my shoulders. The reflection staring back at me in the glass window is of someone who looks tired, someone worn down by battles that should never have been hers to fight. But despite it all, I still look like me. Still Elizabeth.Around me, everyone stands tense, their faces lined with concern. The air is heavy with unsaid words, with fears no one wants to voice aloud."Are you sure about this, honey?" James Alexander asks, his deep voice breaking through the quiet. His protective instincts radiate off him like heat, his arms crossed over his chest as he studies me.I nod, even though my stomach churns. I cannot let them see me falter, not now. Not today.James sighs, stepping closer. "Remember, someone already tried to kill you, Elizabeth. They even came for me and your brothers. So if, at any point, you feel unsafe, I want you to leave. No hesitation. Do you understand me?"His tone is firm,
I step into the penthouse behind Sebastian, my heart pounding, my breath uneven. The air inside is thick, suffocating, and every nerve in my body is still tingling. I keep my head down, afraid that my face will betray me, that the guilt of kissing Sebastian, the guilt of liking it, will be written all over me.Michael’s voice cuts through the silence.“Elizabeth, where were you? Are you okay?”His concern is real, I can hear it in his voice, but it does nothing to soothe the storm inside me. I force a small, tight-lipped smile, trying to steady myself.“I’m sorry. I needed some air, so I rode a cab around,” I lie, my voice even, controlled.Michael’s eyes flicker between me and Sebastian.“Where did you find her?” he asks, his gaze narrowing slightly.Panic surges through me. I can’t let Sebastian answer that. If Michael knew the truth, if he sensed even a sliver of what happened between us, I don’t know what he would do.“Downstairs,” I cut in quickly before Sebastian can speak. “I w